Fake RTX 4090 with laser-etched chips hits repair shop

A repair technician received what looked like an RTX 4090 but was actually a sophisticated fake with laser-etched VRAM chips and a dummy GPU core. The counterfeit card used real PCB layout and convincing etchings to pass visual inspection.

The scam reportedly cost the buyer around $1,600. The fake GPU core had no functioning silicon. Counterfeiters went as far as replicating Micron GDDR6X labeling and Nvidia's die markings with laser equipment. The technician called it "the best scam I've ever seen" because the quality rivals factory assembly.

This is a problem for anyone buying used 4090s off eBay or Facebook Marketplace. If a deal seems too good, it probably is. Counterfeiters are now operating at a level that defeats casual inspection.

If you're shopping for high-end GPUs, check BetterFPS for vetted buying guides and watch for red flags: no original box, no invoice, seller has zero feedback.